Cover structure for core of heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger is provided. The core of a heat exchanger includes a partition plate and a cover. The cover includes a plurality of frames, an upper cover body, and a lower cover body. The upper cover body and the lower cover body join and together define a receiving space for receiving the frames. The frames are disposed on two sides of one of the upper cover body and the lower cover body, allowing the receiving space to be formed between the frames. Each of the frames has a plurality of crosswise extending posts provided therein. Each of the crosswise extending posts extends from an edge thereof, wherein the edge of each of the crosswise extending posts adjoins the receiving space. The crosswise extending posts and the frames together define a plurality of slits. The crosswise extending posts of the frames are coupled to the partition plate directly. The frames and the partition plate are fixed in position within the cover, thereby saving raw materials and reducing the required amount of adhesive material used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cover structures for the core of a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger, which saves a raw material and reduces use of an adhesive material.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Telecommunications service providers nowadays have to use telecommunications cabinets for signal processing and circuit distribution, whether signal transmission is wired or wireless. Telecommunications cabinets are installed outdoors or indoors as needed, accommodating sophisticated circuits and electronic components. Every telecommunications cabinet is airtight in order to shut out moisture that might otherwise damage the circuits and electronic components therein and even cause a short circuit. A drawback of existing airtight telecommunications cabinets is that they prevent heat generated by electronic components in operation from dissipating. To solve the problem of heat dissipation, telecommunications service providers used to provide telecommunications cabinets with inbuilt heat exchangers for removing heat from the telecommunications cabinets.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of the core of a heat exchanger according to the prior art, respectively, a core 1 of a heat exchanger comprises at least a partition plate 13, at least two comb-like braces 12, and a case 14. The case 14 comprises an upper lid 141 and a lower lid 142. The partition plate 13 and the comb-like braces 12 are mounted on the lower lid 142, before the upper lid 141 and the lower lid 142 join. To couple the partition plate 13 and the comb-like braces 12, a large amount of adhesive material has to be applied to the junctions of the partition plate 13 and the comb-like braces 12. Plenty of adhesive material is also applied to wherever the partition plate 13 and the comb-like braces 12 join the upper and lower lids 141, 142 for structural reinforcement. The aforesaid assembly process incurs costs and is time-consuming. Hence, the prior art has the following drawbacks:

1. it requires plenty of adhesive material for gluing parts.

2. it is time-consuming.

In view of the drawbacks, the inventor of the present invention collected related data, conducted comprehensive evaluation, gave blanket consideration, followed his years of experience in the art, performed trial runs and made correction repeatedly, and eventually devised a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger as claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger, so as to reduce use of an adhesive material.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger, so as to save a raw material.

To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger. The core of a heat exchanger comprises a partition plate and a cover. The cover comprises a plurality of frames, an upper cover body, and a lower cover body. The upper cover body and the lower cover body join and together define a receiving space for receiving the frames. The frames are disposed on two sides of one of the upper cover body and the lower cover body, allowing the receiving space to be formed between the frames. Each of the frames has a plurality of crosswise extending posts provided therein. Each of the crosswise extending posts extends from an edge thereof, wherein the edge -of each of the crosswise extending posts adjoins the receiving space. The crosswise extending posts and the frames together define a plurality of slits. The crosswise extending posts of the frames are coupled to the partition plate directly. The frames and the partition plate are fixed in position within the cover, thereby saving raw materials and reducing the required amount of adhesive material used. Hence, the present invention has the following advantages:

1. cost-saving,

2. material-saving,

3. greatly reducing the required amount of adhesive material used, and

4. time-saving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the core of a heat exchanger according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the core of a heat exchanger according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of frames and a partition plate in another preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along arrowed line A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along arrowed line B-B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of frames and a partition plate in yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along arrowed line C-C of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of still yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Technical means and structures proposed in the present invention with a view to achieving the aforesaid objectives and effects of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the features and functions of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention provides a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a core 6 of a heat exchanger comprises at least a partition plate 4 and a cover 2. The cover 2 comprises a plurality of frames 3, an upper cover body 21, and a lower cover body 22. The upper cover body 21 and the lower cover body 22 join and define a receiving space 23 together. The frames 3 are disposed on two open sides of one of the upper cover body 21 and the lower cover body 22, allowing the receiving space 23 to be formed between the frames 3. Each of the frames 3 has a plurality of crosswise extending posts 31 provided therein. Each of the crosswise extending posts 31 extends from an edge thereof, wherein the edge of each of the crosswise extending posts 31 adjoins the receiving space 23. The crosswise extending posts 31 and the frames 3 together define a plurality of slits 32. At least a transverse rib 33 is provided between two adjacent ones of the crosswise extending posts 31. The partition plate 4 has a first end 41 and a second end 42. The partition plate 4 bends repeatedly to form a plurality of bent portions 43 and define a plurality of trenches 44 between the bent portions 43.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, 6 and 6A, the crosswise extending posts 31 of the frames 3 are each inserted into corresponding ones of the trenches 44 (as shown in FIG. 5A), allowing the frames 3 to be positioned at a first end 41 and a second end 42 of the partition plate 4, respectively. With the crosswise extending posts 31 being inserted into the trenches 44 to enable engagement therebetween, the required amount of adhesive material is greatly reduced. To couple the frames 3 and the partition plate 4 together better, a small amount of adhesive material is applied to junctions (not shown) of the frames 3 and the partition plate 4. Alternatively, a pore 311 and a through hole 431 (shown in FIG. 6A) are formed in the crosswise extending posts 31 and the bent portions 43, respectively, and at least a fixing element 5 (shown in FIG. 5B) is penetratingly disposed in the pore 311 and the through hole 431, so as to coupled the frames 3 and the partition plate 4 together, thereby reducing the required amount of adhesive material and facilitating repeated disassembly and assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, which are an exploded view and a perspective view of still yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, respectively, the frames 3 and the lower cover body 22 of the cover 2 are formed integrally with each other, and the trenches 44 of the partition plate 4 are adapted for engagement with the crosswise extending posts 31 of the frames 3, respectively. To ensure that the frames 3 and the partition plate 4 are held together firmly, a small amount of adhesive material (not shown) is applied to the junctions of the trenches 44 and the crosswise extending posts 31. The upper cover body 21 and the lower cover body 22, which correspond in position to each other, join, allowing the partition plate 4 to be received in the receiving space 23 within the cover 2. Also, the partition plate 4 and the frames 3 together form a plurality of channels 45 (as shown in FIG. 5A). In the channels 45, a heat-dissipating working fluid undergoes heat exchange. Hence, upon assembly, the cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger greatly reduces the required amount of adhesive material used, saves a raw material, and cuts costs.

The foregoing preferred embodiments are only illustrative of the features and functions of the present invention but are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications and variations made in the foregoing preferred embodiments according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In short, a cover structure for the core of a heat exchanger, as disclosed in the present invention, effectuates the desired benefits and objectives. Hence, the present invention demonstrates industrial applicability and meets the conditions of application for a patent. 

1. A cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger, the cover structure comprising: an upper cover body; a lower cover body corresponding in position to and being coupled to the upper cover body, wherein the upper and lower cover bodies define a receiving space together; a plurality of frames disposed on two sides of one of the upper cover body and the lower cover body, allowing the receiving space to be formed between the frames, the frames each having a plurality of crosswise extending posts provided therein, and the crosswise extending posts each extending from an edge thereof, wherein the edge of each of the crosswise extending posts adjoins the receiving space, wherein the crosswise extending posts and the frames together define a plurality of slits.
 2. The cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein at least a transverse rib is provided between two adjacent ones of the crosswise extending posts.
 3. The cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the frames are operatively provided with at least a partition plate having a first end and a second end so as for the frames to be positioned at the first end and the second end of the partition plate, respectively, the partition plate bending repeatedly to form a plurality of bent portions each having at least a through hole formed therein, wherein at least a pore corresponding in position to the at least a through hole is formed in each of the frames.
 4. The cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein the frames and the partition plate are coupled together by adhesive material.
 5. The cover structure for a core of a heat exchanger of claim 3, wherein at least a fixing element is penetratingly disposed in the through hole and the pore.
 6. The cover structure of claim 1, wherein the frames and the lower cover body are formed integrally with each other.
 7. The cover structure of claim 1, wherein the frames and the upper cover body are formed integrally with each other. 